Travel choices, internet accessibility, and extreme weather: translating trends in space-time flexibility in the digital age

Budnitz, Hannah Debra ORCID: 0000-0002-6963-3303 (2020). Travel choices, internet accessibility, and extreme weather: translating trends in space-time flexibility in the digital age. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Extreme weather affects not only transport infrastructure, but also travel behaviour. Climate change is causing more frequent and intense severe weather events, and thus is increasing the risks to transport infrastructure, services, and travellers. Travel behaviour trends are also in flux due to shifting working and activity patterns, as space-time flexibility and accessibility choice increases, and standard commuting journeys decline. Information and communication technologies (ICT) are one reason for these changing trends in travel behaviour, and, like climate change, create uncertainty in predicting transport operations and travel choices. However, ICT also has the potential to make mobility and accessibility more sustainable and more responsive to climate change impacts. This thesis sets out to identify the opportunities that improving ICT and increasing space-time flexibility create for commuters and other travellers to maintain accessibility, particularly to work activities, that they may better respond to severe weather, risk, and transport disruption, thereby boosting resilience. The research also concludes that through the integration of travel choices and Internet accessibility and by taking action to address spatial and temporal barriers, policy might better support both resilience and sustainability.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):